Bocca Chiusa

Antonin, sprawled naked in bed with Elijah curled against his chest, turns to his lover and casually asks, “Do you trust me?”

Trying very hard not to think of Aladdin, Elijah gives the cellist a brief puzzled look, then nods.

Antonin smiles; he hadn’t expected a different answer, but one has to ask. “Good. Meet me at this address tomorrow at five. PM,” and hands the boy a piece of paper. With that, he rolls out of bed and begins dressing.

Not really expecting an answer, Elijah murmurs, “…what’s this for?”

Shrugging, Antonin pulls on his jacket and, blowing Elijah a kiss, leaves his boy’s bedroom. He has a key by this point, and Elijah can hear his door being locked.

Elijah shakes his head, bewildered, but…he’s also a little excited. Maybe more than a little. Maybe to the point that he’d like to touch himself, except that a) he just had sex, and b) he’s not allowed to. Instead, he burrows under the blankets and curls up to sleep.

The next day, Elijah arrives at the address at about 5:03. He’s surprised to see that he’s been sent to a private home, if a large, luxurious private home. He knocks tentatively, and is relatively unsurprised when Antonin answers, even though he knows Antonin and Davide share an apartment.

Antonin angles his head to indicate Elijah should come inside, and has turned and walked away without making sure his boy is following.

Looking around just a little apprehensively--what if this is some sort of cult? What would Mike say if he knew about this?--Elijah inevitably follows. He’s quite impressed, if a little awed, by the art, furniture and obvious expense of the house, and he hurries after Antonin’s retreating back; a view he very much approves of. “…Antonin? Whose house is this…?”

Antonin stops in a small guest bedroom. “Strip.”

Elijah sighs and begins undressing. “Ok, but…”

The cellist smiles his predatory smile and points to some rope and two large, metal angles, connected by a fancy metal fan-shape, laying on the bed. “Do you understand yet?”

Elijah shakes his head, giving Antonin an almost pleading look of confusion.

Antonin smiles knowingly. “Kneel.” Without waiting, expecting that his command will be obeyed, Antonin takes a length of the white and gold rope from the bed and ties Elijah’s calves and thighs together so that he will have to remain kneeling and won’t be able to stand. The knots are both functional and decorative, and Antonin admires his work. “There. Now put your arms in the music stand position.”

Elijah puts himself in the desired position, his eyes growing wide with nervous certainty.

“Oh, didn’t I tell you? A very dear friend of mine is having a dinner party, and I am playing a few pieces as part of the entertainment. You will be my music stand.” ‘As part of the entertainment’ goes unsaid. Antonin lifts the beautiful music rest, also white and gold, and straps it to Elijah’s forearms with soft leather buckles. He nods his approval.

Trying not to squeak with terror--he’ll be in public like this…naked…! Being Antonin’s music stand at home is one thing, but…

Antonin glances at his stand. “Something you’d like to say? A colour, perhaps?”

Elijah considers it for a moment, then shakes his head.

“Good.” He’s rewarded by a kiss on the forehead, before Antonin reveals his last surprise. “You’re being quite good and quiet, but just in case you forget,” he fastens a leather band that matches the rope and stand around Elijah’s mouth, “music stands don’t talk. Even when they’re embarrassed.” He smirks at his boy’s red cheeks and red cock. “There, now. They’re waiting for us.” With that, he gathers Elijah into his arms and carries him to the patio.

Elijah is astounded when they step outside--the patio and yard are quite full, but there are no women in sight. There are couples and groups of men in handsome clothes, talking, sipping drinks, and eating hors d’oeuvres, but what catches his attention far more are the naked or mostly naked men. Some of them are servers, with trays of food and drink. Some of them are kneeling or sitting by another man’s side; some of these are wearing collars. A few are delicately posed throughout the garden, painted to look like marble statues. Elijah is delighted, and suddenly feels much less uncomfortable.

Antonin places his stand in an area that has been kept clear for him, where his cello already is. He places some (rather unnecessary) music on the stand and positions himself on a chair--he had been offered a boy to sit on, but had declined, not knowing how Elijah would react. He quickly tunes the cello, settles the instrument between his legs, takes up his bow, and begins to play.

Elijah is much more able to focus on the music than the first time he had been a stand, even in this strange place. For one thing, the sheet music is quite large and covers his eyes; he has to be careful to breathe softly so he doesn’t blow it away. He hasn’t felt quite this awestruck by Antonin’s playing since that first benefit concert, so he allows himself to relax and not worry about the eyes watching him, but to just listen to the music and play his small role in it.